Stick welding questions:

[performance]

It will ALWAYS refer to the polarity of the electrode: DCEP, DCEN. Direct current, electrode positive, Direct current Electrode negative. And REverse polarity is the same as DCEP, though, if you consult with Longevity, their manuals tell you erroneously otherwise.

But I imagine you know by now what straight polarity is.

Don't ever both with DCEN. No practical reason to do so. If you can't weld it with stick thin enough, go to TIG. DCEN isn't very practical, except for the thinnest of material. It'll make a mess usually.

[GWD]

I bought rods yesterday...6011's say DC-,DC+, and AC. 7018's say DC+ and AC. Is, DC+, where the electrode is positive or work piece is positive?

I guess I sound dumb for not knowing.

Hey! A question that I actually know the answer to. The + or - on the end of DC refers to the polarity of the electrode. DC+ (reverse polarity) gives deeper penetration, DC- (straight polarity) is more shallow. That's it - all I know about welding.

(Oops - simultaneous post with Performance. Listen to him.)

BTW - electrons flow from negative to positive. Ben Franklin guessed which way electrons flow and got it wrong.

[I_Love_Plasma]

Ohhhh! okay I had everything back wards. I always thought the work piece was +.... Work piece is -. And I will log it into mind that it refers to the electrode.

Thanks guys!

[I_Love_Plasma]

Do these polarities apply only to stick welding? I am confused. I have run experiments with my combine battery welding, using DCEP gets very good penetration. DCEN works ok but it makes really tall beads that can be broke off with several 24oz. hammer blows and the welding smells really peculiar. Here's a link to battery welding:http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...ional-Way.....

I would like to know:
1> TIG, tungsten electrode polarity(torch)?
2> MIG, wire polarity(torch)?
3> Plasma cutter consumable polarity(torch)?
4> Flux-core is the same polarity as MIG, correct?

Thank you,
ILP

[SeanMurphy265]

I need a little help with this. I realize that stick welding offers a variety of rods for all types of metals and applications. Why would you choose to stick weld vs. mig or tig weld aluminum?

[I_Love_Plasma]

Well if I were going to weld smaller stuff or was shooting for "best of show" welds I think I'd go with TIG, also, TIG's have AC balance for cleaning. A lot of times people already are using pure Argon in the TIG's so you may or may not have to switch out bottles. MIG, very practical, may require changing from Argon/CO2 mix to pure Argon and it's not the easiest process to switch out your wire whereas TIG you grab a different filler rod off the shelf. Stick, good for thicker base material, and all you have to do is grab the correct rod and bzzzzzzz away. Okay you might want to adjust the amps from the 7018 setting lol

ILP

[performance]

Do these polarities apply only to stick welding? I am confused. I have run experiments with my combine battery welding, using DCEP gets very good penetration. DCEN works ok but it makes really tall beads that can be broke off with several 24oz. hammer blows and the welding smells really peculiar. Here's a link to battery welding:http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...ional-Way.....

I would like to know:
1> TIG, tungsten electrode polarity(torch)?
2> MIG, wire polarity(torch)?
3> Plasma cutter consumable polarity(torch)?
4> Flux-core is the same polarity as MIG, correct?

Thank you,
ILP

1) -
2)+
3) -
4) Read your instructions on the wire.

[DaveO]

Why would you choose to stick weld vs. mig or tig weld aluminum?

The answer may be, "Because a DC stick welder is all I've got, and the base material's alloy will weld properly with a 4043 filler metal, and the base material is 1/8" or better". The choice of stick electrode alloy seems limited to 4043, and the suppliers say it works best on 1/8" or greater material.

[SeanMurphy265]

The answer may be, "Because a DC stick welder is all I've got, and the base material's alloy will weld properly with a 4043 filler metal, and the base material is 1/8" or better". The choice of stick electrode alloy seems limited to 4043, and the suppliers say it works best on 1/8" or greater material.

So how good will it weld? How good is the appearance? I assumed it would have to run on AC for aluminum.

[DaveO]

A guy did a number of tests using different weld methods, and gives photos of his aluminum stick welds here:
http://www.hildstrom.com/projects/st...num/index.html

They look pretty good! He doesn't mention any kind of bend or BFH test, though. Is that kind of stress testing the same for aluminum as it is for mild steel?

[Cippee]

I tried aluminum stick electrodes and they are very tricky. These welds are dam good. Very dam good in my opinion.